Open Space and Recreation Survey

The Town of Amherst is committed to providing you with the best Open Space and Recreation experience possible. This survey aims to gather information about the users of Amherst's Open Spaces and Recreation Facilities so we can address resident concerns and community needs. The Amherst Recreation Department will utilize this survey to develop programs that are best suited to the needs of our residents. The Amherst Planning Department will use this information to update our Open Space and Recreation Plan, which allows for the Town to receive grant funding to maintain & improve parks, recreation sites, and conservation areas. We welcome your input and comments!

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Demographic Questions

Which race/demographic information best describes you? (You may choose more than one option if applicable)

* required

Do you consider yourself to be of Hispanic, Latin, or Latinx Heritage?

* required

Yes

Does your household primarily speak a language other than English at home?

* required

Yes

Does your household include any of the following? (Check all that apply)

* required

Open Space and Conservation Land Questions

Please use the map below to answer the next two questions. Open spaces/conservation areas are identified in GREEN.

Please list your 3 favorite open spaces or conservation areas in Amherst?

* required

Maximum 150 characters

0/150

Please briefly explain why.

10.

Please list your 3 least favorite open spaces or conservation areas in Amherst?

* required

Maximum 150 characters

0/150

11.

Please briefly explain why.

12.

Are there areas of Town that are lacking in open space or conservation land? (Please select all that apply)

* required

How often do you use open space/conservation land for the amenities and activities listed below? How satisfied are you with each of these amenities?

13.

Bike Paths/Trails

* required

Select option

14.

Bike Paths/Trails (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

15.

Ponds/Swimming Holes (ex. Puffers Pond)

* required

Select option

16.

Ponds/Swimming Holes (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

17.

Cross Country Skiing Trails

* required

Select option

18.

Cross Country Skiing Trails (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

19.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding Launches

* required

Select option

20.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding Launches (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

21.

Dog Walking Areas

* required

Select option

22.

Dog Walking Areas (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

23.

Fishing Spots

* required

Select option

24.

Fishing Spots (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

25.

Meditative Exercises (yoga, tai-chi, Pilates, etc.)

* required

Select option

26.

Meditative Exercises (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

27.

Enjoying serenity/Quiet Space

* required

Select option

28.

Enjoying serenity/Quiet Space (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

29.

Hiking/Walking Trails

* required

Select option

30.

Hiking/Walking Trails (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

31.

Running/Jogging

* required

Select option

32.

Running/Jogging (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

33.

Bird Watching

* required

Select option

34.

Bird Watching (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

35.

Ice Skating

* required

Select option

36.

Ice Skating (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

37.

Sledding

* required

Select option

38.

Sledding (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

39.

Research/Nature Study

* required

Select option

40.

Research/Nature Study (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

41.

If you indicated that you were dissatisfied with any of the above, please briefly explain why.

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

42.

What are your most pressing concerns (including safety and accessibility) about Amherst Open Spaces and Conservation Lands (including trails)?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

43.

What do you see as barriers (cultural, economic, racial, accessibility) to Amherst Open Spaces and Conservation Lands (including trails)?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

45.

Please check any areas of concern you may have:

* required

46.

Are you in favor of the Town Spending Community Preservation Act (CPA) or Town Capital Planning Funds on Open Space and Conservation lands?

* required

Yes

Active Recreation Areas, Facilities and Parks Questions

Please use the map below to answer the next two questions. Recreation facilities and areas are identified in LIGHT PURPLE.

47.

Please list your 3 favorite recreation areas, facilities, or parks in Amherst?

* required

Maximum 150 characters

0/150

48.

Please briefly explain why.

49.

Please list your 3 least favorite recreation areas, facilities, or parks in Amherst?

* required

Maximum 150 characters

0/150

50.

Please briefly explain why.

51.

Are there areas of Town that are lacking in recreation areas, recreation facilities, or parks? (Please select all that apply)

* required

How often do you use the recreation amenities and/or do you engage in the activities listed below? How satisfied are you with each of these amenities?

52.

Athletic Fields

* required

Select option

53.

Athletic Fields (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

54.

Pick-Up Sports (Basketball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee)

* required

Select option

55.

Pick-Up Sports (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

56.

Basketball Courts

* required

Select option

57.

Basketball Courts (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

58.

Tennis Courts

* required

Select option

59.

Tennis Courts (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

60.

Recreation Programs

* required

Select option

61.

Recreation Programs (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

62.

Playgrounds

* required

Select option

63.

Playgrounds (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

64.

Swimming Pools

* required

Select option

65.

Swimming Pools (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

66.

Picnic Areas/Picnicking (pavilions and tables)

* required

Select option

67.

Picnic Areas/Picnicking (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

68.

Sledding

* required

Select option

69.

Sledding (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

70.

Bilingual Signage

* required

Select option

71.

Bilingual Signage (satisfaction)

* required

Select option

72.

If you indicated that you were dissatisfied with any of the above, please briefly explain why.

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

73.

What are your most pressing concerns (including safety and accessibility) about Amherst Recreation Facilities (including parks, playing fields, and playgrounds)?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

74.

What improvements would you like to see at Amherst Recreation Facilities (including parks, playing fields, and playgrounds)?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

75.

What do you see as barriers (cultural, economic, racial, accessibility) to Amherst Recreation Facilities (including parks, playing fields, and playgrounds)?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

77.

Do any of the following prevent you from using Recreation Facilities? (Check all that apply)

* required

78.

Are you in favor of the Town Spending Community Preservation Act (CPA) or Town Capital Planning Funds on Recreation Facilities (including parks, playing fields, and playgrounds)?

* required

Yes

Climate Change Questions

How important are each of the following Town initiatives pertaining to Climate Change to you?

80.

Promote policy that reduces the use of pesticides and protects pollinator populations

* required

Select option

81.

Include natural (“green”) design approaches (such as natural approaches to stormwater management)

* required

Select option

82.

Increase opportunities for cooling off in natural water bodies during periods of extreme heat

* required

Select option

83.

Limit deforestation

* required

Select option

84.

Protecting biodiversity and limit the spread of invasive species

* required

Select option

85.

Increasing the use of alternative energy

* required

Select option

86.

Increase in permanently protected conservation land

* required

Select option

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